Association of Western European Parliamentarians Against Apartheid
Association of Western European Parliamentarians Against Apartheid
Alternate Names: Association of European Parliamentarians for Africa
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Duration: 1984 - present
After conferences in Brussels and The Hague on sanctions against South Africa, a group of Western parliamentarians decided that coordinated action at a parliamentary level against Apartheid and Apartheid regimes in Africa, was an absolute necessity. In 1984, at a conference in Copenhagen, AWEPAA was founded. Peter Sluiter was AWEPAA's first...
After conferences in Brussels and The Hague on sanctions against South Africa, a group of Western parliamentarians decided that coordinated action at a parliamentary level against Apartheid and Apartheid regimes in Africa, was an absolute necessity. In 1984, at a conference in Copenhagen, AWEPAA was founded. Peter Sluiter was AWEPAA's first Secretary-General. AWEPPA mobilized politicians in democratically elected European parliaments in support of the struggle against apartheid. Starting with less than 20 members, eventually some 1,000 parliamentarians were involved. As part of its work on South Africa, AWEPAA undertook many fact-finding missions and regularly liaised with the leaders of the UN-recognized liberation movements mainly the African National Congress (ANC) and at the same time closely cooperated with the South African churches, trade unions and human rights organizations. Several leading personalities, like Archbishop Desmond Tutu, were invited to European capitals to address parliamentarians and others. Parliamentarians ensured effective sanctions policies by passing laws, they monitored the implementation of these laws and they sought to hold governments accountable for their policies. AWEPAA also support the struggle for independence of Namibia, liaised with the South West African People’s Organization (SWAPO) and supporting sanctions in regard to the South African occupation. AWEPAA supported the Frontline States against destabilization by South Africa, supporting efforts to help countries resist South African invasions. AWEPAA held seminars on a yearly basis in one of the Frontline States. After 1993 the name was changed to Association of European Parliamentarians for Africa (AWEPA).
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